Anxiety, motivation, stress levels and associated factors among university students in the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The global coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic affects society seriously in terms of psychosocial aspects, but this effect is more intense on some specific population groups. University students are among the most affected population groups by the pandemic. This study was conducted to determine the anxiety, motivation, stress levels, and associated factors among health science students during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The population of this descriptive and cross-sectional study consisted of students studying at health-related departments in three universities in Turkey. The data were collected from 855 students determined by the stratified sampling method using the online survey method. A questionnaire developed by the researchers and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were used to collect the data. Percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test, One-Way ANOVA test, Pearson correlation, and linear regression analysis were performed to evaluate the data. RESULTS: The results revealed that the mean age of the students was 20.85±2.37 years (min: 18; max: 41), 80.5% were women, 38.0% were nursing students, 13.7% had a family member with the diagnosis of COVID-19. The BAI mean score was found to be 29.00±7.8. According to the multiple linear regression analysis, the factors affecting students’ anxiety scores significantly were being female, impaired sleep and nutrition patterns, decreased motivation, increased stress level and having a family member with the diagnosis of COVID-19. CONCLUSION: Health science students experience severe anxiety due to COVID-19 pandemic and have moderate motivation and stress scores. Being a woman, having impaired sleep and nutrition patterns, reduced motivation, increased stress level and a family member diagnosed with COVID-19 are factors influencing the level of anxiety

Syntactic and Prosodic Processing of Quantifier Ambiguity in Turkish

There is a robust debate on different linguistic levels of quantifier ambiguity resolution. Many accounts of the quantifier ambiguity are extensively examined in Turkish by semantic-prosodic and syntactic-semantic levels in previous studies. In this study, we aimed to investigate the prosodic and syntactic processes of the universal quantifier (her (‘every’) and existential quantifier bir (‘a/an’)) by using an on-line picture matching experiment with 75 young adults and native speakers of Turkish. Our stimuli consisted of 120 sentences (30×4) for each of the conditions with order (her–bir (‘every–a/an’) vs. bir–her ‘a/an–every’) × focus (subject position vs. object position), respectively. In each trial, participants were asked to listen to the auditory stimuli and to judge sentences they heard. Our findings showed that the focused existential quantifier bir (‘a/an’) assigned wider scope than the universal quantifier her (‘every’) for the judgment task rates. This finding suggested that participants preferred the collective reading both for the focused universal quantifier her (‘every’) and focused existential quantifier bir (‘a/an’). For reaction times (RTs), participants favored distributive reading since the reaction times were faster in distributive reading than collective reading. This study supported the previous claims that syntactic processing has an initial role in disambiguation between collective and distributive readings

Disease and treatment experiences of COVID-19 patients: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND/AIMS The study aimed to explore the perceptions of hospitalized COVID-19 patients' experiences regarding the disease and treatment process. MATERIAL and METHODS The study was carried out as qualitative research at a hospital in Turkey between June 17, 2020 and July 7, 2020. The sample consisted of eight COVID-19 patients hospitalized in service after intensive care treatment. The data were collected through an in-depth individual interview form. Each interview was transcribed verbatim, and a thematic analysis was performed. The Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist was followed. RESULTS Three main themes were identified for patients' perceptions of the disease experiences and treatment process. The patients experienced negative emotions after being diagnosed with COVID-19, and they spent the isolation and treatment process communicating with their beloved ones over the phone, watching television, and praying. Having an infectious disease caused them to have anxiety and sadness, and they reported satisfaction with the physicians and nurses during the treatment process. CONCLUSION Psychological and sociocultural factors, religious values, and health policies can be effective in patients' perception of disease and treatment. It is recommended for healthcare professionals to be aware of the psychosocial problems of the hospitalized COVID-19 patients during the disease and treatment process, monitor them for post-traumatic stress disorder, and provide the necessary support

Complete blood cell count-derived inflammation biomarkers and the need for laser capsulotomy due to posterior capsule opacification following cataract surgery

Background: Inflammation plays a significant role in the proliferation, migration, and differentiation of lens epithelial cells after cataract surgery, clinically manifested as posterior capsule opacification (PCO). This condition is typically treated with neodymium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser capsulotomy. Our objective is to evaluate the association between blood-derived inflammatory markers and the development of clinically significant PCO necessitating treatment with laser capsulotomy. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of charts for all patients who underwent Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy in our department between January 2021 and December 2022. The study included 70 patients who diagnosed with clinically significant PCO requiring treatment with Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy following cataract surgery, as well as 70 pseudophakic controls with no signs of PCO. Complete blood cell count parameters were obtained from medical records and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) were calculated. Results: The mean age of the Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy and control group was 71.83 +/- 8.46 and 72.27 +/- 9.98 years, respectively. The preoperative NLR scores for the Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy group (mean rank = 34.43) were statistically significantly higher than those of the control group (mean rank = 25.41) (p = 0.044). However, after adjusting for preoperative measurements, no statistically significant differences were observed between the groups for the other parameters. Conclusion: Preoperative NLR scores were higher in patients who developed clinically significant PCO requiring treatment with Nd: YAG laser capsulotomy. This finding suggests that patients with elevated systemic inflammation may be at an increased risk of developing PCO following cataract surgery. Further research is needed to evaluate the role of systemic inflammation in the pathogenesis of PCO

Örgütlerde yaşanan psikolojik şiddet sorunlarının konaklama işletmeleri açısından değerlendirilmesi

Son yıllarda örgütlerde sıkça karşılaşılan psikolojik şiddet olgusu, çalışanların işlerini bırakmalarına, hatta intiharlara kadar varabilen ciddi sonuçlar doğurabilmektedir. Psikolojik şiddet kavramı, kişiye astları, üstleri veya kendi düzeyindeki meslektaşları tarafından sistematik bir şekilde uygulanan çeşitli onur kırıcı davranışları ifade etmektedir. Psikolojik şiddetin çalışanlar üzerindeki olumsuz etkilerinin yanı sıra, işletmeler açısından da verimliliğin ve kalitenin düşmesi gibi olumsuz sonuçları olabilmektedir. Bu durum, hizmetin kendine özgü özellikleri ve emek yoğun niteliği dolayısıyla konaklama işletmeleri açısından da büyük bir sorun olarak karşımıza çıkmaktadır. Bu çalışmada, psikolojik şiddet kavramı, kapsamı ve nedenleri üzerinde durulmakta, sorunun konaklama işletmeleri açısından etkileri ele alınmakta ve çözüm yolları önerilmektedir.Mobbing, that may lead to turnover and even committing suicide is a phenomenon encountered in organizations recently. Mobbing refers to the repeated and systematic negative behaviour that is directed toward an employee for a long period of time by superiors, subordinates or co-workers. Mobbing has also negative organizational consequences such as poor quality and productivity loss. With its characterics of its own and labor intensive nature, lodging industry may be more vulnerable than any other indurstry to mobbing issues. In this study, mobbing concept is explained in terms of its nature and the factors leading to it. Then, the effects of mobbing on lodging industry is discussed and some possible suggestions are stated

Nursing students the attitude towards e-learning scale: A methodological study

Amaç: Günümüzde sürekli gelişen bilgi ve teknolojilerin eğitim alanı etkilemesi sonucu e-öğrenme (elektronik öğrenme) ortamına duyulan ilgi ve ihtiyaç her geçen gün artmaktadır. E- öğrenmede öğrenci tutumları öğrenmenin etkinliğini doğrudan etkilemektedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı, hemşirelik öğrencilerinde “E-Öğrenmeye Yönelik Tutum Ölçeği”ni Türkçeye uyarlamak ve geçerlik güvenirlik çalışmasını yapmaktır. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Metodolojik desende olan bu çalışma, 200 hemşirelik öğrencisi ile yapılmıştır. Veriler, Google Formlar üzerinden hazırlanan veri toplama formları ile 15-30 Nisan 2021 tarihleri arasında toplanmıştır. Ölçek 9 maddeden oluşmaktadır. Verilerin değerlendirilmesinde uzman görüşüne dayalı kapsam geçerliği, açıklayıcı ve doğrulayıcı faktör analizi ve iç tutarlılık analizleri yapılmıştır. Bulgular: Geçerlik ve güvenirlik çalışması yapılan E-Öğrenmeye Yönelik Tutum Ölçeği maddelerine ilişkin faktör yükleri 0,621 ve 0,859 arasında değişmektedir. Cronbach alfa güvenirlik katsayısı 0,913 olarak hesaplanmıştır. Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin 0,911 ve Bartlett küresellik testi p<0,001 olduğu belirlenmiştir. Faktör analizi sonucunda ölçeğin tek faktörden oluştuğu ve iyi bir model uyumu gösterdiği bulunmuştur. Ölçek öğrencilerin e-öğrenmeye ilişkin tutumlarının %60,61’ini açıklamaktadır. Doğrulayıcı faktör analizinde uyum indeksleri yaklaşık hataların ortalama karekökü=0,073, χ2 /df=2,047 ve karşılaştırmalı uyum indeksi=0,970 olup ölçeğin iyi uyum düzeyinde olduğu görülmüştür. Sonuç: E-Öğrenmeye Yönelik Tutum Ölçeği, hemşirelik öğrencilerinde “e-öğrenme tutumunu” değerlendiren araştırmalarda kullanılabilir. Hemşirelik öğrencileriyle yapılan e-öğrenmeye yönelik bu çalışmanın, farklı öğrenci gruplarıyla tekrarlanması e-öğrenmeye önemli katkılar sağlayacağı düşünülmektedir.Objective: Today, as a result of the constantly developing information and technologies affecting the field of education, the interest and need for e-learning (electronic learning) environment is increasing day by day. Student attitudes in e-learning directly affect the effectiveness of learning. The aim of this study was to adapt the “Attitude Towards E-Learning Scale” into Turkish and perform its validity and reliability study for nursing students. Material and Methods: This study, which has a methodological design, was conducted with 200 nursing students. The data were collected between 15-30 April 2021 using the data collection form prepared on Google Forms. The scale consists of 9 items. In the evaluation of the data, content validity, explanatory and confirmatory factor analysis, and internal consistency analysis were performed based on expert opinion. Results: The factor loadings of the Attitude Towards E-Learning Scale items for which validity and reliability studies were conducted vary between 0.621 and 0.859. Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient was found to be 0.913, a Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin value was 0.911, and Bartlett’s test for sphericity was p<0.001. Factor analysis demonstrated that the scale consisted of a single factor and showed a good model fit. The scale explains 60.61% of students’ attitudes towards e-learning. In confirmatory factor analysis, fit indices were found to be root mean square error of approximation=0.073, χ2 /df=2.047, and comparative fit index=0.970, showing that the scale was at a good fit level. Conclusion: The study revealed that the Attitude Towards E-Learning Scale can be used in studies evaluating the “e-learning attitudes” of nursing students. It is thought that repeating this study on e-learning with nursing students with different student groups will make important contributions to e-learning

DOĞU ANADOLU BÖLGESİ'NDE TEDAVİ AMAÇLI KULLANILAN BAZI ALLIUM TÜRLERİNİN BİYOLOJİK AKTİVİTE VE FİTOKİMYASAL KOMPOZİSYONU

Bitkisel kökenli doğal ürünler zengin bir biyoçeşitlilik, lokal flora ve faunaya sahip olan Doğu Anadolu Bölgesi’nde kanser, karın ağrısı, diyabet vb. hastalıkların tedavisi ve/veya önlenmesinde etkin bir şekilde kullanılmaktadır (Dalar ve Mukemre, 2018)

A case of primary hypoparathyroidism presenting with acute kidney injury secondary to rhabdomyolysis

Hypoparathyroidism is the most common cause of symmetric calcification of the basal ganglia. Herein, a case of primary hypoparathyroidism with severe tetany, rhabdomyolysis, and acute kidney injury is presented. A 26-year-old male was admitted to the emergency clinic with leg pain and cramps, nausea, vomiting, and decreased amount of urine. He had been treated for epilepsy for the last 10 years. He was admitted to the emergency department for leg pain, cramping in the hands and legs, and agitation multiple times within the last six months. He was prescribed antidepressant and antipsychotic medications. He had a blood pressure of 150/90 mmHg, diffuse abdominal tenderness, and abdominal muscle rigidity on physical examination. Pathological laboratory findings were as follows: creatinine, 7.5 mg/dL, calcium, 3.7 mg/dL, alanine transaminase, 4349 U/L, aspartate transaminase, 5237 U/L, creatine phosphokinase, 262.000 U/L, and parathyroid hormone, 0 pg/mL.There were bilateral symmetrical calcifications in basal ganglia and the cerebellum on computerized tomography. He was diagnosed as primary hypoparathyroidism and acute kidney injury secondary to severe rhabdomyolysis. Brain calcifications, although rare, should be considered in dealing with patients with neurological symptoms, symmetrical cranial calcifications, and calcium metabolism abnormalities

S-Genotype Profiles of Turkish Apricot Germplasm

In flowering plants, gametophytic self-incompatibility, controlled by a single locus with several allelic variants, is one of the major problems preventing self-fertilization. Among fruit trees, apricots show to a high degree self-incompatibility, especially in Middle-Asian and Iranian-Caucasian eco-geographical groups. In the present study, self-(in)compatibility characteristics of a total of 236 apricot genotypes (218 Turkish and 18 foreign) found within the National Apricot Germplasms of Apricot Research Institute in Malatya, Turkey was studied. Analyses were carried out by using four primer pairs (SRc-F and SRc-R, EM-PC2consFD and EM-PC3consRD, AprSC8-R and PaConsI-F, AprFBC8-F and AprFBC8-R). A total of 11 S-RNase alleles (S2, S3, S6, S7, S8, S9, S11, S12, S13, S20 and Sc) were determined in the 236 apricot genotypes. As Turkish and foreign apricot genotypes are determined mostly self-incompatible, the data obtained hereby might be of good use for apricot breeding programs and more practically, for apricot new plantations; thus pollinator cultivars should be considered when self-incompatible apricot cultivars are being used